Praising projects from Monroe County in Western New York to the tip of Roosevelt Island, the Preservation League of New York State, announced ten winners of excellence awards.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Restoring the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
While the announcement gave credit where it was due: “A comprehensive restoration led by the team at Thomas A. Fenniman, Architect has ensured that this James Renwick Jr.-designed beacon will continue shining for many more years to come.” It left others out.
The Gift from Cornell Tech
When a land use payment from Cornell filled RIOC‘s coffers with millions, RIOC made good use of it. Then President/CEO Susan Rosenthal oversaw these efforts. Among her projects:
- Restoring Blackwell House
- Replacing Seawall Railings Island-wide
- Rebuilding Southpoint Park
- Bringing the internationally acclaimed The Girl Puzzle to Roosevelt Island
- Restoring the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
But she didn’t do it alone.
As then RIOC Chief Financial Officer John O’Reilly noted, “I am proud of that project. It was a collaborative effort by Judy, LiRO and I and a great team from ICC.”
“Judy,” of course, is Judith Berdy. She is the President of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) and a preservation activist 365 days a year. Having worked with Fenniman for years on other projects, Judy was the onsite quality control officer. Unofficially, of course, but critical to the whole process.
Background on the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse Restoration
“In 2011 RIOC asked Thomas Fenniman to prepare a Building Condition Survey for the Lighthouse,” Judy Berdy explained in an email.
“Fenniman asked the RIHS for any images we had of the historic landmark. We gathered over a dozen from our archives and submitted them to him for the survey along with other historic materials. It took a decade to finally repair and restore the landmark.
“The RIHS philosophy is to share our resources and archives to anyone interested in preserving and learning about our island history.”
The RIOC executives who funded and oversaw this work are gone now. The LiRo managers who did the hard work are also gone. But we hope RIOC finds time to recognize and salute them. O’Reilly, Rosenthal and Berdy did more for preserving Roosevelt Island’s historic story than any group before or since.
Rioc statement
On behalf of the current interim leadership at RIOC, Acting COO Mary Cunneen said this…
“It’s an honor to have the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse restoration project recognized by the Preservation League of New York State as one of their 2024 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award winners.
“It was a pleasure working with Tom Fenniman and his team to complete these necessary repairs, which included the installation of a new staircase, observation deck, and lighting, as well as significant stonework around the lighthouse’s base.
“Combined with the Girl Puzzle Monument, the lighthouse makes a visit to the island’s northern tip a must for both residents and visitors alike. Thank you again to the Preservation League of New York State for this great honor.”
About the Preservation League of New York State
The Preservation League of New York State is a non-profit organization. It is dedicated to preserving New York State’s historic places, landscapes, and communities. Founded in 1971, the League works to protect significant historic and cultural resources across the state. They do this through advocacy, education, and preservation initiatives.
Key Activities:
- Advocacy: The League advocates for legislation and policies that support historic preservation, such as the New York State Historic Preservation Act.
- Education: The League provides educational programs and resources to raise awareness about the importance of historic preservation and to foster a sense of stewardship among the public.
- Preservation Initiatives: The League supports a variety of preservation initiatives, including:
- Identifying and surveying historic places
- Assisting property owners in rehabilitating historic buildings
- Promoting the reuse of historic buildings
- Advocating for the protection of historic landscapes and communities
- Awards: The League recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to historic preservation through its annual awards program.
The Preservation League of New York State plays a vital role in safeguarding the state’s rich heritage. It ensures that its history is preserved for future generations.
The Emergency Was Always Underground
The steam plant and the steam tunnel were never two problems. They were one system. They were only separated later, when separating them made development easier and responsibility harder to pin down.
